Unlike Terms
The unlike terms not having the same literal coefficients.
For example:
(i) 5ab, 5a, 5ac are unlike terms because they do not have identical variables.
(iii) 2x, 2y, 2m are unlike terms.
Now look at the terms of the following polynomials:
(i) 11a2b2 + 3ab2We observe that two terms of the binomial (11a2b2 and 3ab2) have same variables raised to different powers. So, the binomial is made up of two unlike terms or dissimilar terms.
(ii) 7m2 - 2m + 10m3
We observe that the three terms of the trinomial have same variables (m) raised to different
powers. So, the above trinomial is made up of three unlike or dissimilar terms.
We observe that the three terms of the trinomial (3x2, 5xy and 7x2y) have different variables raised to different powers. So, the trinomial is made up of three unlike terms.
(iv) 11m3n3 - nm + 9m2 - 4m2n2
We observe that the four terms of the polynomials (11m3n3, nm, 9m2 and 4m2n2) have different variables raised to different power. The numerical coefficients are also different. So, the polynomials is made up of four unlike or dissimilar terms.
Examples to identify unlike or dissimilar terms:
Identify which pairs contain unlike terms in the following:
(i) 5ab, 7ab
(ii) 3x, 4x2(iii) m, n
(iv) 2m2, 3m3
(v) 6a2b, 11ab2
(vi) –xy, 7yx
Solution:
(i) 5ab, 7ab
The terms 5ab and 7ab have same literal factors (ab) so this pair is a like term.
The terms 3x and 4x2 have different literal factors so this pair is an unlike term.
(iii) m, n
The terms m and n have different literal factors so this pair is an unlike term.
The terms 2m2 and 3m3 have different literal factors so this pair is an unlike term.
(v) 6a2b, 11ab2
The terms 6a^2b and 11ab^2 have different literal factors so this pair is an unlike term.
(vi) –xy, 7yx
The terms –xy and 7yx have same literal factors (xy) so this pair is a like term.
● Terms
Adding and Subtracting Like Terms
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